NBHS grad to compete in Miss Boston on Feb. 16

NEW BEDFORD — A 20-year-old from New Bedford will compete in the Miss Boston pageant on Sunday.

AUDITI GUHA

NEW BEDFORD — A 20-year-old from New Bedford will compete in the Miss Boston pageant on Sunday.

"This is actually my first pageant," said Katelyn Peters. "I am a little nervous but I am excited too."

Peters graduated from New Bedford High School in 2012. She now lives in Boston and attends Suffolk University.

"I plan to be a criminal psychologist," she said. "I find the mind interesting. I want to find out why (criminals) do the things they do."

Peters said she was motivated to participate after a class on competitive beauty and has found pageantry is hard work involving essays, raising funds for the Children's Miracle Network, and developing the confidence to face an audience.

"When I was younger I was interested because I thought it was about dressing up and being beautiful," she said. "It's about being a full woman."

Her platform is Big Brother-Big Sister and she is waiting to be matched with a younger sister.

"Children often have tough family situations. I want to help set a good example," she said.

Whether she wins or not, Peters said the pageant will open a lot of doors and could win her a college scholarship.

"I am very proud of her going to school, becoming the lady she's become. It means everything to me," said Alan Paine, her father.

Dustin Rennells, president/executive director of the nonprofit scholarship organization, said the pageant has 18 participants, many from outside Boston, vying for two titles.

The pageant will take place at the Omni Parker House Hotel at 5 p.m. The crowned Miss Boston/Miss Cambridge will compete for the title of Miss Massachusetts.

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